Aircrew training for RCAF CH-147F Chinook helicopters underway

May 27, 2015
| Ottawa

By CAE

CAE has announced that a comprehensive suite of CH-147F Chinook simulators and training devices have completed on-site acceptance testing at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa and are now ready-for-use by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

The RCAF has begun interim pilot training using the CH-147F weapon systems trainer (WST). The RCAF and CAE are currently finalizing other elements of the comprehensive CH-147F aircrew training program, including courseware, and expect the entire CH-147F training program to be declared ready-for-training later this year.

The RCAF's new Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopters (MHLH) world-class training facility is located at CFB Petawawa in Ontario. CAE is the prime contractor responsible for leading the design and development of the RCAF's CH-147F aircrew training solution, and following formal acceptance will commence with providing 20 years of in-service support.

"We have made great progress with a truly world-class synthetic training program for our Chinook aircrews," said Lieutenant Colonel Chris McKenna, Commanding Officer, 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada. "The new MHLH training centre and the capabilities it will provide are perfectly aligned with the RCAF's Simulation Strategy and will enable us to maximize the use of simulation-based training throughout our training curriculum."

CAE and its pan-Canadian team of subcontractors delivered a range of CH-147F training devices to support RCAF CH-147F training. The CH-147F training devices that have completed on-site acceptance testing include:

CAE's pan-Canadian team of suppliers and subcontractors on the CH-147F training program includes Bluedrop Performance Learning, Gestion MGCO, Weatherhaven and other Canadian suppliers.

"The Royal Canadian Air Force is putting into service the world's most advanced Chinook helicopter synthetic training facility, and CAE is proud to be playing a key role in delivering a complete ground-based training solution to the RCAF," said Mike Greenley, Vice President and General Manager, Defence & Security, CAE Canada. "The RCAF has set out an ambitious strategy regarding the use of simulation-based training to cost-effectively prepare its aircrews to maintain readiness, and training facilities like the MHLH at Petawawa will help the RCAF achieve its vision."